Runner thanks responders who saved him during half marathon

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Thanks in part to the faculty at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, a runner who suffered a major heart attack within sight of the finish line of a Houston race lived to run again.

Louisiana runner Monty Person collapsed with a massive heart attack near the finish line of the Aramco Houston Half Marathon on Jan. 15.

UTHealth School of Nursing professor Elda Ramirez, Ph.D., R.N., treated Person at the scene. McGovern Medical School at UTHealth assistant professor Konstantinos Charitakis, M.D., opened the man's clogged artery at Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Texas Medical Center.

"I was the person at his head. I was doing the CPR thing, saying 'Can you hear me, can you hear me,' check for a pulse. That was me," Ramirez said.

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The medical team who treated Person, 58, just after mile 13 said they consider his quick recovery a miracle.

Person had a 100 percent blockage in his right coronary artery and doctors performed surgery to restore blood flow.

He and his family drove to Houston from Louisiana to thank each medical professional who saved his life.

"I want to thank everyone at UTHealth and Memorial Hermann," said Person.

Doctors have given Person the go-ahead to start training again.

Person has hopes of running the Houston Marathon next year.